Question

Use the map to answer the question. (free and slave states and territories, 1845 - free states, slave states, slave territories, free territories). What is the main reason Congress initially refused to annex Texas is supported by the information on this map? A. if the United States annexed Texas, it would jeopardize the country's other claims in California. B. if the United States annexed Texas, slave states would almost certainly outnumber free states. C. if the United States annexed Texas, it would enter as a free state and anger Southerners.

Answer 1

The main reason Congress initially refused to annex Texas, as supported by the information on the map, is B. if the United States annexed Texas, slave states would almost certainly outnumber free states.

The map showing free and slave states and territories in 1845 indicates that annexing Texas, a slave state, would increase the political power of slave states in Congress, thereby potentially jeopardizing the balance between free and slave states, which was a significant concern at that time.